Derek Gray: Derek plays standup Bass with the group. He has been playing for 4 years and is self taught. He got his start in music playing Trombone in School. Driving the tunes home with his definitive bass groove, he’s quickly becoming known as one of the Northwests premier bassists. Aside from playing music, Derek is a non-destruction testing expert at an oil refinery in Anacortes, Washington. Derek enjoys the bass playing of Victor Wooten, Barry Bales and Andy ‘Panda’ Moritz. He endorses and is endorsed by NS Design electric upright basses.
Nick Dumas: Nick plays the mandolin and the fiddle in the band. He has played for 8 years and is self taught on the mandolin. He serves as lead vocalist for the group and does great with harmony vocals as well. He also lends his mandolin skills in the gospel bluegrass band, The Ancient Tones. You are most likely to find Nick jamming till the wee hours of the morning at bluegrass concerts and festivals. Some of Nick’s biggest influences are: Adam Steffey, Sierra Hull, Dan Tyminski, Shawn Lane, Jim VanCleve, Andy Leftwich, Michael Cleveland, The Boxcars, The Chapmans, Rhonda Vincent, Dailey & Vincent, and MANY more!
Chris Luquette: Chris plays lead Guitar and Mandolin with the group.
This hard working musician is a well known on the Seattle music scene. He is equally at home in a multitude of genres including International Music, Jazz, Rock, and has studied Brazilian Jazz with Seattle based Brazil music legend, Jovino Santos Neto.
Chris is a talented multi instrumentalist. From drums and bass, to electric guitar, banjo, and Greek Bouzouki! In addition to Northern Departure, Chris plays with Folk Voice band, Michael O’Neill and is a freelance musician.
Austin McGregor: Austin is an up and coming prodigy on the 5 string banjo. His fretful fury works are bound to keep you on the edge of your seat. He tears it up on the instrumentals and fills in the vocals with some tasty licks. Austin has been playing Banjo for nearly 5 years and is self taught, leaving audiences captivated and amazed. He is a very talented bass vocalist and adds a great sound to some wonderful 4 part harmony. Austin is endorses and endorsed by Nechville Musical Products, and plays a custom Phantom model Banjo.
